Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-07-29
THE MAJORS EXPLOSION.


The mysterious disappearance of Mai
Potter caused considerable talk At IN
Time in army circ,es hint ,h,. facts h,y
-, Iii,
,
MAJ f'''e' was e'''i'"eu at s'i'ai
post ON the coast OF Oregon, ana the all
sence OF telegraphic and mail facilities i
perhaps one reason why the unfOrtuuat,
mans fate has remained unknown to al
except "A few of his brother officers
The majors special hobby was explo
siyes. He WAS Ali the time eNpersnentin,
with dynamite and other destructive com
pounds. and il WAS his firm belief that h,
was on the track of a discovery which
was destined po reyolutinaize modern war
fare.
As there was no little danger connected
with the majors experiments. the colonel
In command Of the post persuaded him %
occupy cabin at some distance from the
quarters of the other officers. Thus Sc
cluded the veteran mixed his deadly
chemicals. and tested his inventions at all
hours of the day and night. His friends
had their doubts, but when the inventor
turned up one morning with HIS mustache
and eyebrows singed OF. and on another
occasion appeared at breakfast with only
one ear, it WAS admitted even by the
doubters that he was making progress
There is no telling what he will do
next said the colonel one morning.
when the roof of the majors cabin was
blown skyward with a laundering report
Everybody agreed with the colonel and
after that the major WAS quietly watched
by the entire command.
''Colousl. I've got it," shouted the
major one afternoon, as his superior
officer passed his door.
Glad 10 hear it. - briefly replied the
commanding officer As he started off in
another direction.
If You will come in began the
major.
Thank vou." was the prompt answer
"but I've promised to meet Can't. Jones
and haven't moment 10 lose .
The major rushed into his den and
darted out again.
Here il is" he said. exhibiting a little
round pellet in the palm of his hand.
why. that-that looks like Dill. - re-
marked the colonel. edging off a little,
No matter what il looks like - re-
sponded the major; Il know what il ia
0n1 WnAt II VIII 10, on wGnlun think
now. would YOU, that a little thing like
this. at the slightest tap or Jar. would
blow up the entire camp,''
..Confound you.r roared the colonel
.sSo I mean I bep your pardon but /
can't stop another second. must go"
Ata safe distance The colonel paused
Il say. msior,' he yell.d for IN.
Lords sake mt nm that blasted thing and
..Ob that's all right answered the
other briskly II am going To test il in
the daytim. away from beadou.rters
colonel .Wby not 90 a few miles nm the
riyers You need a wide field for such ex
periments. Take all the time Won want
and find a snitable plsce.''
..It's all RIGHT ~ erowIed the msior sI
am NOT coiny 10 do snvtbipu rash Don't
he uneasy
The next morning at an early honr the
coloneI was notified that Mai Potter de-
sired 10 see him AT once
ssHe is sitting down I'm front of his
cabin. ~ the man said ..and he appears 10
h. sick"
When the colonel accompanied by sey-
eral officers reached the snot they imma
diately inmped 10 the conclusion thai
their comr,de WAS a very sick man.
The MAJORS face usually ruddy and
cheerful was of a deafhly ualIor and wo,
b.,oone in the extreue
:fWbot is the matter nv dear fellows,,
asked the colonel kindly and with some
anxie,v in his voice
Lord helm me lint I'm in a fixr, WAS
the gloomy answer,
But what is it. major: are YOU ilI,-
..pm a dead man as sure as live
oroanei the major dclefully. .sYou know
that thing Won called a piIi,''
YES YES said the colonel hastily
Never mind about that Tell m. yonr
symptoms
..Tbe fart ;s ;, eyplsined the snffener
upye swallowed it,,
"Are you crazy How did il hapDens-
questioned the visitors.
..yalJ yon know I didn't do II ;ntan